Karen Ellis

Practical, collaborative therapy for real-life challenges

LCSW Oregon

Experience: 14 years in practice
Focus areas: Stress, Anxiety, LGBT, Relationship
Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Languages: English

About Karen

Karen Ellis is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) who draws on 14 years of practice to help people reduce stress and manage anxiety using practical, evidence-informed methods.

Background and approach

She emphasizes cognitive behavioral techniques alongside client-centered and acceptance-based approaches to help clients notice unhelpful patterns, try new ways of thinking, and take small steps toward change. Her work also addresses relationship and family concerns, trauma and grief, mood conditions such as depression and bipolar-related challenges, and intimacy or sexual issues.

In sessions she cultivates an open, nonjudgmental atmosphere where emotions and thoughts can be explored honestly. That collaborative stance supports work on communication difficulties, parenting and blended family transitions, anger and self-esteem struggles, obsessive and compulsive behaviors, and process or sex-related addictions.

Additional areas of focus include aging and geriatric topics, financial stress, dissociation, polyamory and non-monogamous relationship dynamics, and veteran-related issues. Based in Oregon, she offers a range of remote session formats to fit different lifestyles and schedules.

Karen aims to meet clients where they are and help them build skills that translate into everyday life.

How therapy approaches translate to online care

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and testing new behaviors to reduce symptoms like anxiety and depression. It often involves practical exercises and skills that clients can practice between sessions to change patterns that maintain distress. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people clarify what matters most to them and teaches mindful strategies to accept difficult emotions while committing to value-based action; this can be useful for coping with grief, chronic stress, and relationship challenges.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist works with clients to understand their goals, preferences, and day-to-day realities and then tailors a mix of methods that feels most helpful. Clients and the therapist review progress and adapt techniques together as needs evolve.

Online sessions are offered by video calls, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to increase flexibility and access. These formats let clients fit therapy into busy schedules, practice skills between meetings, and maintain continuity of care when in-person visits are not possible. Licensed professionals can use these options to deliver structured CBT exercises, ACT-based reflections, and client-centered conversations in a way that matches each person’s routine and goals.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does Karen work with?

She addresses stress and anxiety as well as relationship and family issues, trauma and abuse, grief, intimacy-related concerns, parenting, anger, self-esteem, bipolar and depression, and coping with life changes. Additional focuses include body image, OCD-related symptoms, process and sex addictions, and issues related to aging and blended families.

What is her therapeutic approach and style?

Her practice blends cognitive behavioral techniques with acceptance-based and client-centered methods, and she sometimes uses motivational interviewing and solution-focused strategies to set achievable goals. The style is collaborative and aimed at practical skill building.

How long has she been practicing?

She brings 14 years of professional experience to her clinical work, applying that background across a wide range of concerns and therapeutic methods.

What credentials and location does she hold?

She is licensed as an LCSW with credential OR LCSW L15066 and is based in Oregon.

Does she offer services in other languages or to international clients?

Sessions are offered in English only, and she is not currently accepting international clients.

Which session formats are available?

Available formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to accommodate different communication preferences and schedules.

How are fees and payment structured?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

What are the steps to begin working together?

To start, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule according to the therapist's availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, Anxiety

Also works with

LGBTRelationship issuesFamily conflictsTrauma and abuse GriefIntimacy-related issuesParenting issuesAnger managementSelf esteemBipolar disorderDepression Coping with life changes

Additional focus areas

Aging and geriatric issuesBlended family issuesBody imageCommitment issuesCommunication problemsDissociationDivorce and separationFamily problemsIsolation / lonelinessVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMoney and financial issuesObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPolyamory / non-monogamous relationshipsProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Sex addiction

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Motivational InterviewingSolution-Focused Therapy

Experience

14+ years

Licensed

Oregon

Languages

English